Harare, (New Ziana) — In a landmark event that signals the growing stature of Zimbabwe as a digital trailblazer in Africa, the
government on Thursday officially launched the inaugural handover of Data Controller Licences to 570 organisations across the country.
The ceremony, held in the capital, marked a defining moment in the country’s digital transformation journey, positioning the nation as a regional leader in data protection, cybersecurity, and regulatory
innovation.
Speaking at the launch event, Information, Communication Technology and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera hailed the occasion as a “historic milestone” in reinforcing Zimbabwe’s commitment to data governance and global best practices.
She said the introduction of formal licensing for data controllers places Zimbabwe among a select group of African nations, alongside Nigeria and Ghana, with such progressive regulatory frameworks.
“This is not just a bureaucratic exercise. These licences are a strategic tool, an assurance that Zimbabwe’s digital economy will be secure, inclusive, and globally competitive,” she said.
The event also had a significant regional dimension, with participants from neighbouring Southern African Development Community countries such as Botswana, Eswatini, and Malawi among the 560 data protection officers who received training.
Mavetera emphasized that Zimbabwe is ready to share its expertise across the Southern African region, especially as President Emmerson Mnangagwa currently serves as chair of SADC.
“This initiative not only strengthens our national systems but also sets the standard for the SADC region. Zimbabwe must lead by example, and we are proud to be the benchmark for data protection in Africa,” she said.
She said the licensing framework was made possible by Statutory Instrument 155 of 2024 on Cyber and Data Protection, which introduced mandatory compliance requirements for all entities handling personal data.
Despite initial misinformation and public uncertainty, Mavetera noted that the progress made thus far is a testament to Zimbabwe’s dedication to modernizing its digital infrastructure.
“The road was not easy, but we stayed the course. Today, we celebrate not only compliance but national resilience and determination,” she said.
She said while celebrating the milestone, the government issued a call to action to extend data protection training beyond the capital, and urged the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to collaborate with universities and training institutions across all provinces.
Cities such as Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo, and Gweru were specifically mentioned as needing accessible training hubs.
Mavetera told the newly licensed data controllers that with certification comes responsibility and that they are now guardians of sensitive data, ranging from financial records to health and legal
information, and should operate with the highest standards of integrity.
New Ziana
